The U.S. women's curling team made history on February 13, 2026, by defeating Canada in a thrilling 9-8 match, marking the first time an American women's team has ever beaten the reigning Olympic champions. This achievement was celebrated by the team, who expressed their surprise and pride in their performance. Taylor Anderson-Heide, a Minneapolis native, stated, 'I think we just played a really good game. They're No. 1 in the world.' Tara Peterson, a dentist and mother from Shoreview, Minnesota, added, 'It just always feels really good to beat Rachel Homan's team. Any team to beat them is pretty impressive.'
Until this victory, Canada had dominated the sport, medaling in every Winter Games since curling's Olympic debut in 1998. The U.S. men had previously achieved their first win over Canada in the 2018 round-robin and again in the semifinals, ultimately securing the gold medal in Pyeongchang. Canada's Team Homan, led by Rachel Homan, has long been regarded as the world's best.
The U.S. team's triumph was fueled by Canada's own mistakes, as they capitalized on a few weak shots. After the game, the team celebrated together, raising their fists in triumph as they walked back to their coaches. Tara Peterson emphasized the significance of this win, noting, 'Apparently, we've never beat them in the Olympics before. That makes it just extra special.'
The American women's curling team embodies approachability and ambition, mirroring their Gen-Z male counterparts. The team includes Tabitha Peterson, Tara's older sister, and Cory Thiesse, who has already won a silver medal in the mixed doubles event. Aileen Geving, from Minnesota, is the alternate. Interestingly, three team members have jobs outside of curling, and three are mothers to young children. Tara is a dentist, Tabitha a pharmacist, and Thiesse a lab technician. Their son, Eddie, was born in September 2024, while Tabitha's daughter, Noelle, was born a few months later. Geving's daughter, Sienna, was born after the 2018 Games.
Tara Peterson highlighted the unique aspect of curling, stating, 'That's the cool thing about the sport of curling. Your average Joe is playing against Olympians, and we're friends. And after the game, we'll sit down, have dinner, and have a beer. It's just a normal life.' Tabitha Peterson, however, views the Olympics as 'just another tournament,' emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset rather than being overwhelmed by the event's significance.
